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New Isro chairman aspired to be a medical doctor

Last Updated 19 January 2015, 20:20 IST

But for age, the new chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) A S Kiran Kumar would have been a doctor.

 “When I was studying pre-university, I had the dream of becoming a doctor. I had studied at Mysore University and secured very good marks. But as fate would have it, I could not realise my dream only because of under-age,” said Kumar recalling important moments in his life to the audience at the National College, Basavanagudi, which felicitated him on Monday.

Going down memory lane, Kumar, an alumnus of National College, said: “My primary education was at Hassan. And because I wanted to become a doctor, I chose Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) as my subjects in my pre-university education. And in that year, I was the one who scored the highest in PCM. But when I went to submit my application, a surprise was in store. Authorities told me I was 22 days short of the age requirement to take up medicine.”

“Then I decided that I would go in for medical the next year and started studying BSc at Hassan. At the same time, I had this dream of studying at National College at Bengaluru. I got to know that Bangalore University was re-introducing Physics Honours degree. Immediately I took the decision of joining National College.”

Kumar recalled that he was greatly inspired by H Narasimhaiah, the Gandhian. “His hallmark was to correct me wherever I made a mistake. Those were the days that determined my future.”

Kumar studied at National College between 1969 and 1971. He completed his MSc at Central College and then MTech at IISc.

“I got an interview call from Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad. I passed the interview and after completing my degree, I took up work in Isro in 1975.”

The new chairman said it was only a few days since he had joined work at Isro as chairman. “I will be doing a lot of reflection on exactly how I should take Isro forward in the coming days. Greats like Satish Dhawan have been at the helm of affairs at Isro. It is a privilege for me to work in a position occupied by such statesmen. It is a also a very big responsibility. Isro at the moment is busy readying for Chandrayaan-2 which will be taken up in 2016-17,” he added.

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(Published 19 January 2015, 20:20 IST)

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